We just ended our second meeting before leaving for the Philippines. Professor Hawkins is preparing us for the cultural reality that we will be immersed in for 3 weeks and making sure that his project is a success. Our first meeting began with a TED talk on the 7 rules of improvisation; rule #2: Don't be afraid of failure. Phew! I like that because it balances the belief that I have to be perfect. I'll do my reading and then glide on the wings of faith that only good can come, even if it doesn't appear that way in the moment. For my SOM friends, rule #4 is: Say YES! And that's what I'm going to do!
I have all my jars and creams ready, my sunscreen and bug repellent, my antihistamines, vitamins, probiotics, digestive enzymes...did I forget anything?? I will need a mighty big suitcase for all this! I hope I have room for my bathing suit! This brings to mind the longest vacation I ever took when I went to Europe for 3 months after completing my bachelor's degree at William Paterson. I was ready to go to the gate and tried to swing my backpack onto my back, and I fell over! Then my Dad fell over, laughing!
